Posts from Hawkswill in thread „Island In The Sky (1953)“

Great ones again Peter of one of my now favorite films. I almost felt as if I were watching it........LIST, LOL.

Sure would like to see a pic of the Island Poster you got hanging in your "man" room! KEITH

Well, that one is your "baby", so, I guess if one was going to be good, glad it was that one!

If you know anyone you can talk into checking out the Group Watch and contributing to it, please do so. Thanks, Keith

Quote from Dooley

I've listened to the Iwo Jima/Island in the sky CD now and Island in the Sky fares much better than Iwo Jima. Although they are suites based on the music, rather than the actual score as it is in the film, the quality is a step up from Iwo Jima and very listenable.

Quote from alamo221

Thankya Kindly Keith! I probably had most all his posters at one time or another. I DO like a lot of the posters when they are looked at by themselves, but when a number of the 50s-70s posters are displayed side-by-side, they tend to blend together due to the abundence of white
space on them-just my humble opinion.

Well, you are probably correct, Alamo....I just don't know much about them. I have surely seen some beautiful ones posted here though. Are you selling yours off? If so some folks here might be interested in Some of them. Let me know if you are......people trade her also. HAGO, Keith

Very interesting post there Alamo! I don't know much about posters and such except what I have seen scanned here. But LOTS of the guys collect them, and they will be interested on your comments.

I loved Island in the Sky also. First movie that I was TOTALLY and Completely convinced that Duke could really act. When those planes kept going and he realized they hadn't seen them and would probably cross that section off their search........WOW....never had and never have seen that look on his face again! HAGO, Keith

Very true, Russ, yet, as I said before, I will bet over half the folks on here have never watched it. Not westerny, and heroic enough for them. The REAL heroes in the movie were the pilots searching for the downed Dooley. KP

NICE. Is that the poor navigator who hadn't a clue where they were....off the charts or something? Keith

Good one there Peter, downed Dooley!

Quote from ethanedwards

Yes I appreciate he liked the film,
I just wondered what he would have thought of the posters!!

Funny, I thought that was answered in the last post. Was one of the main points as that is what you asked. A few points here, but I suggest that you go back and read what I posted for you, Keith.

Duke OWNED the company along with Fellows and it was WAYNE/FELLOWS.
I doubt there was much that he didn't have control over.

And, I believe that his whole idea in making this picture was to show that he COULD play outside of his norm. The posters, I think, were designed to bring in non-fans beside the ones who would come anyway because it was Duke. It showed a Duke they had never seen in Westerns.

Well, enough said on this subject for me. It is pretty plain to see. If you look at Duke's entire life, you will see that he was not afraid to let people see him as he was or could be. I mean, he only wore his toupee when he absolutely HAD to....he hated it.

You keep your poster up there in a proud place in your Man Room, Dooley. Because that is where it belongs. I am sure Duke would have proudly signed it for you if he were able. He wouldn't have allowed them to be produced if they were not what he wanted. Keith

Quote from Dooley

I'm sure he would have seen it as it's the same expression that appeared on 90% of the marketing collateral around the world promoting the film.

I wonder if the Duke had any say on the use of his image?
Today actors guard their 'image' and 'likeness' very, very closely.

Remember Dooley, this was a Wayne/Fellows production....I imagine Duke had everything to say about his image on the posters. I think he wanted folks to know that this was not a same old John Wayne western type movie. Here is another poster:

Quote from ethanedwards

Wonder what Duke would have thought??

I am quite sure he was mighty proud. Here are some excerpts from reviews about Island in the Sky.

When Stillman dropped the film, the rights were picked up in December 1952 by Wayne-Fellows Productions, the partnership of John Wayne and Robert Fellows, as their third of seven eventual productions – including another Gann story The High and the Mighty a year later, which Wayne also co-starred in. The two movies shared many of the same production staff and crew members, including director William Wellman.


The role played by John Wayne in Island in the Sky goes against type, since he does not display the machismo for which he was often criticized. Instead, his portrayal of the downed aircraft's captain had been noted as believable and realistic. A strong ensemble cast of mainly studio B-actors actually contained a number of future stars, including Fess Parker, James Arness, Darryl Hickman and Mike Connors, who all went on to television fame. The film involves many realistic details, such as an ice pick kept handily embedded in a barracks wall so pilots can break the ice sheet on their morning wash water. The black-and-white cinematography by Archie Stout (dramatic scenes) and William H. Clothier (flying scenes) have been praised by critics.

Island in the Sky and The High and the Mighty are unique as they are two of the first all-star disaster films, which paved the way for Airport and its sequels 20 plus years later, as well as the Airplane! parodies. Both films are also two of the early John Wayne co-productions that starred Wayne

Both Island in The Sky and The High and the Mighty were out of circulation for about 20 years because of legal issues. They were restored, returned to television in July 2005 and released as special edition DVDs that August

At first, even Dooley is overwhelmed by the responsibility for his crew's safety, and he is too lax in handling them -- but after one man dies, frozen to death just steps from help, he takes over and pushes his men and himself to the limits of their endurance; he even seems ready to crack himself at one moment. Meanwhile, the men who fly with Dooley push themselves and their machines past their endurance limits searching the arctic wastes for the downed plane. Island in the Sky -- based on the book by Ernest K. Gann (perhaps the best aviation novel ever written), which was, in turn, based on a true incident that happened during the war -- is one of the most startling movies in Wayne's output. He doesn't even look like the "star" John Wayne, but like a real pilot, and the cast, made up of familiar faces, all look like the real article; indeed, this movie should have been in the running for Academy Awards for costuming and makeup, just for making these familiar performers, such as Lloyd Nolan (in maybe his best performance) and Andy Devine (ditto), look like real pilots and ordinary men, rather than familiar actors. You end up feeling like you're watching a documentary, and the effect is bracing and unsettling, and dramatically unparalleled in Wayne's entire output


Yep, I would say he was pleased as punch and very proud that he could go outside of the character he had built for himself and produce such a believable and dramatic performance. He chose this script for himself to portray the downed Dooley. And BOY, did he ever pull it off. Some say it is not typical Duke style....well it isn't in the way he acts, just in the fact that he always totally immersed himself in the character. And he for SURE did so in this one....he HAD to act differently to play the role, and he proved to himself that he could. I believe he inspired some of the newer actors who were to become stars to do so also. Too bad the movie was buried for so long. I will bet half of this board has never even seen it. Duke, you showed us in one movie that you had superb acting skills. Proud..... that is how he feels, mighty proud! Keith

Wow, that is a GREAT poster, Dooley! Now, aren't you glad you got it? Doesn't have the really crazy looks Duke gave, but it IS different. I think it should have a most proud place in your Man's Room!

Quote from Dooley

I think that may well be why I like it so much!
It's a great film and story and also has the Duke in it, rather than a film I like because it has the Duke in it.

By the way, you twisted my arm and I've managed to get my hands on a vintage Island in the Sky poster for the man room!

Oh, LOL, didn't realize YOU were the one that said that! Well, I was right, wasn't I.....just goes to PROVE what a real man he was. A REAL MAN can cry in front of anyone, because he already KNOWS he is a man! KPKEITH
Did you know that Duke thought it was very important to dance well....thought it was a very manly thing....bet he tried to dance like Fonda in Ft. Apache but found he was a bit large for that type of dancing!

Quote from Dooley

Hi Hawkswill, not problem at all. I've sent you a friend link, I think!
Unbelievably I haven't done this before either so lets seen how it goes!

Well, you did it just right Dooley. I sent you a message. Also, didn't "accept" Gortch properly yesterday, so I did today. THANKS, KP KEITH
OFF TOPIC, sorry! Everyone get Islands in the Sky if you haven't seen it. You might find it hard to believe it is Duke........he acts outside of his persona! Just PROVES that he could do it if he wanted to!

Quote from Tabitha

My father was chosen by Ernie Gann to fly in Island In the Sky. He wrote some interesting accounts of making the movie. Is there someone who might be interested in this? I've transcribed his journal into WORD and could attach it if anyone's interested. Let me know.

If you are still around Tabitha, I would be very interested in the account for the research for my book. Thanks KP KEITH

Quote from Dooley

I totally agree Hawkswill, I was really impressed at how good the Duke, the supporting cast and the film where the first time I watched it. It's one of the tensest performances delivered by the Duke in his long career.
Also, a belated welcome to the forum, I'm sure I speak for all on here that it's great to have someone so knowledgeable in our midst. Keep going you'll get to 300 in a blink!

WOW, I learned how to do the reply with the quote! Hooray, baby steps every day, LOL!
Dooley, thanks SO much for your comments on my knowledge. I study and watch commentaries besides the movies themselves a few hours every day and have been for over a year and a half. My theme of interest has changed.....getting to know Pappy Ford and his Troupe did that. But, still am a great Duke and especially Ward fan. It is difficult to pick out the uncrediteds, but it is getting easier as I get to know more of the stunt men, etc. I imagine ChiliBill could really help there, but he hasn't answered my last post to him. Someone mentioned Duke's silly expression on the poster in Islands. Those were the expressions that made me realize he really could and WOULD act outside of his "character". I imagine it took some real courage for him to put those expressions on film for the world to see. But, if I were stranded as he was, (and we all know how he really gets "into" his character's skin), I am sure my face would have shown those same reactions as would anyone's! I think it made him MORE of a Man and therefore SHOULD belong in a man's room! Just my thoughts, LOL. Thanks and congrats again Dooley...Want to be a friend? I am trying to get some....have two already, but feel I can't possibly ask the big guys yet.....have to "prove" myself first, LOL. If you don't, I understand. Anyway, HOORAY for Islands.....a movie I NEVER thought Duke would act in the way he portrayed his character....amazing!
KPKEITH

Congrats Dooley......I hope to get there one day.
I loved Island in the Sky. First time I had ever seen Duke act outside of his norm. There were expressions on his face that had never been before and never after, or that is my belief!
Once again, way to go, Dooley! KP KEITH